a demanding or stimulating situation
"they reacted irrationally to the challenge of Russian power"
a call to engage in a contest or fight
"He threw down his gauntlet, issuing a formal challenge for the duel at dawn."
questioning a statement and demanding an explanation
"his challenge of the assumption that Japan is still our enemy"
a formal objection to the selection of a particular person as a juror
"The defense attorney filed a challenge against the potential juror after discovering he had been on the opposing team during college."
a demand by a sentry for a password or identification
"The guard at the gate paused to issue a challenge, demanding my access badge before letting me pass."
A confrontation; a dare.
"After years of silence, his sudden question was less an inquiry and more a direct challenge to her loyalty."
An instigation or antagonization intended to convince a person to perform an action they otherwise would not.
"He didn't just ask her to run the marathon; he issued a challenge to prove she was too stubborn to quit, forcing her to lace up her shoes despite her fear of injury."
In plain English: A challenge is something difficult that you have to try hard to overcome.
"The steep climb was a real challenge for the hikers."
Usage: Use "challenge" as a noun to describe a specific question or problem that tests someone's abilities, rather than simply meaning a physical fight or dare. It correctly refers to an opportunity to prove skill in areas like sports, academics, or personal growth.
raise a formal objection in a court of law
"The defense attorney decided to challenge the admissibility of the evidence during the cross-examination."
To invite (someone) to take part in a competition.
"The local gym challenged our team to a friendly basketball match next Friday."
In plain English: To challenge someone means to question their idea or try to beat them at something.
"The steep climb challenged us to keep going despite our exhaustion."
Usage: Use "challenge" as a verb when you directly ask someone to compete against you in a contest or game. Avoid using it simply to describe a difficult situation, which should instead be described as a problem or obstacle.
The word "challenge" entered Middle English as a variant spelling meaning an accusation or claim. It ultimately traces its roots to the Latin calumnia, which referred to false accusations or slander.